Martin Schiffman, Managing Director of the Carl Marks Real Estate Group, will serve as moderator of a panel discussion at The International Hotel Conference, October 15–17 in Rome, Italy. The discussion will focus on the effects of economic cyclicality on hotel assets and ownership, with an emphasis on today’s current global contraction. This year marks the conference’s 6th anniversary.

Certain mechanisms have been designed over the last 25 years to enhance international capital flows and remove the dramatic waves from the international business cycle. The panel will explore whether these capital market tools have actually made things worse, in light of the current environment. The panel will discuss such mechanisms as the Basel I and II Accords to level the playing field for global banks, securitization, and European monetary integration.

The International Hotel Conference is one of Europe’s most productive gatherings of international hotel experts. Industry leaders from more than 50 countries join to share ideas and discuss best practices for the global hotel industry. While the United States remains the single largest hotel market in the world, the fast growing markets of Europe and Asia are fostering rapid internationalization of the hospitality industry.

Schiffman is a recognized leader in all facets of real estate investment. He has participated as a Managing Principal in all asset classes in the industry. Over the years, he has gained notable experience as a value-added investor. He specializes in such areas as urban land strategies, direct asset development, renovation, credit reorganization, and financing. Schiffman has a unique combination of skills in the areas of real estate development, operations and capital market strategies employed to finance all types of real estate. He has been both a public and a private manager of real estate investment. His participation for more than 20 years with the World Trade Centers Association and his current service on its Board of Directors have given him exposure to most of the world’s major hospitality markets.

The conference will take place at the Cavalieri Hilton. For more information on the conference, visit www.internationalhotelconference.com.